Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Workers in this role set up and operate lathe machines that shape metal and plastic materials by rotating them at high speeds against cutting tools. They work with raw materials like metal rods, bars, and plastic stock, transforming them into precise cylindrical parts used in everything from automotive engines to medical devices. Their daily tasks include reading blueprints and work orders, selecting the right cutting tools, and adjusting machine speeds and feeds to achieve exact specifications. They mount materials onto the lathe, monitor the cutting process, and use precision measuring instruments like micrometers and calipers to verify that finished pieces meet strict tolerances, sometimes within thousandths of an inch.